Chapter 3

Kandor

A groom helped Kal-El put on a blue tunic over his white shirt. Another groom came forward with a red slash bearing his family crest. Kal-El looked at his reflection and he straightened his slash.

He then motioned for another groom to hand him his belt that contained the ceremonial sword of El. He fastened the belt around his waist. Then a groom placed a red cape around his shoulders and fastened the gold chain that held it in place around his shoulders.

Two grooms stood before him both holding pillows: on one pillow was his crown and the other a solid gold circlet made especially for him. Around the band of the circlet was Kryptonian writing that listed all his titles.

Kal-El chose the circlet instead of the crown. "Your Majesty, permission to speak?" The groom said.

"Yes, I know. I am the second Kryptonian king to pick the circlet instead of the crown. My father was the first. My mother even chose the circlet as well." Kal-El said as he picked up the circlet and placed it on his brow.

There was a knock at the door. "Enter." Kal-El said and Kara entered. She wore an ivory gown and she too wore a red slash that bore the family crest. Kal-El saw her in the mirror and smiled. "Kara…"

He walked over to her and hugged her. She laughed when he lifted her off the ground. "I missed you as well, Kal-El." The two broke apart and Kal-El noticed the dagger that was fastened to her lower leg but he pretended not to notice.

"May I escort you to ball, Princess Kara?" Kal-El asked seriously but only Kara knew he was being sarcastic. He held his left hand out for her.

"You may." She smiled and placed her right hand on top of his left. A manservant then opened the door for them. "So what are your plans, cousin? You now have your birthright and we are in the middle of a war."

"I do not wish to speak of war…at least not today." Kal-El said sadly.

"I miss Sir Jonathan as well. He did not banish me after my father's betrayal. He let me keep my titles and let my mother have the title of Princess Dowager. We are forever in his debt." Kara said with affection. "But I must warn you, it is expected of you to marry and to produce an heir."

Kal-El rolled his eyes. "Do not remind me. The Council has been bringing up the matter since I returned to the capital. They think that Lady Lana Lang will be a suitable match but I have never met the girl. I will not marry someone who I have never seen." Kal-El said.

They continue to walk down the corridors of the Crystal Palace. The sun was setting and the remaining sunlight reflected off the numerous crystal windows of the palace, hence its name. Six Knights of the Red Shard followed them a few steps behind.

"I know how you feel. My father wanted to promise me to Zod's eldest son in order to make an alliance against Luthor. It was unthinkable, The Houses of El and Zod united through marriage." Kara had a look of disgust on her face.

"If I recall, the Council was against the marriage because his family is sentenced to be exiled to the Phantom Zone upon their capture." Kal-El said.

"The best decision the Council ever made in my opinion." Kara said and Kal-El grinned.

"Not in my opinion." Kal-El said with a huge grin on his face.

"Did you want me to marry Zod's son? Davis or whatever his name is." Kara asked.

"No…but I do have a surprise for you, cousin." Kal-El said.

"What?" Kara asked with such anticipation.

"If I tell you it will not be surprise. Trust me, you will know before the ball begins." Kal-El gave her a reassuring smile and she smiled as well.

They were approaching the ballroom doors and they stopped. Kal-El nodded towards a man with a gold staff, who then tapped on the doors twice.

Trumpets began to play inside. "I present to you all His Majesty Kal-El I, King of Krypton and Kandor, Protector of Rao, and Supreme Commander of the Royal Army; and Her Royal Highness Princess Kara Zor-El." A servant announced on the other side of the doors.

The door then opened and the trumpets began to play again. Kal-El gave Kara a quick wink and they entered the ballroom.

"Kneel!" Someone yelled and every Kryptonian knight in the room began to kneel while the nobles simply bowed with their right arms across their chests. Kal-El did not particularly like this but it was tradition. Those who did not kneel were obviously foreigners.

Kal-El and Kara followed the red carpet to the thrones overlooking the ballroom. When they finally reached the thrones, Kara sat down at the throne on the left while Kal-El remained standing.

"Fellow Kryptonians and friends of Krypton… I am pleased to welcome back Princess Kara Zor-El, my beloved cousin." Kal-El held her hand as he presented her. "And due to the fact that we are at war, it gives me great pleasure to announce that I have named her and the Earl of Smallville as my heirs until I produce my own to lead our people and defend our faith and homeland."

The whole ballroom began to clap but some of the Kryptonian nobles murmured in the background. He kissed Kara's hand while Henry, who was standing next to Kal-El, looked very surprised and pale. He winked at him and Henry began to regain color in his face.

Kal-El then sat next to Kara on his throne. The music started to play again and the celebration began. "I told you I had a surprise for you, cousin." Clark said to her.

"Quite a surprise indeed. So tell me, Kal-El…how long did the Council resist?" Kara asked with a small grin.

"Two weeks…and then I said I would abdicate my throne if they did not agree to my wishes." Clark smiled at her and she shook her head but she smiled in return.

"I can understand their resistance. Zor-El did try to destroy all the evidence that Jor-El named Jonathan regent so he could obtain the throne." Kara lowered her head in shame.

"Children should not be blamed for the sins of their parents." Clark reassured her.

"Thank you, Kal-El. Ever since the truth came to light after my father's death, you and Jonathan always made sure to protect my mother and me from our many enemies, especially those snakes we call politicians." Kara said.

"You are my family, Kara. We are all that is left of the House of El so now we need to protect each other." Clark said and she nodded. "Speaking of which, I have made arrangements to have you knighted next week."

Kara turned to look at him in shock. She tried to speak but she could not form a sentence.

"Just because I spent most of my time at the Fortress of Solitude, did not mean I did not check up on you. I know you fought at the Battle of Kryptonopolis last summer."

"Are you angry? And if you are, remember you were only seventeen when you went to war." She said defensive.

"I know how old I was, Kara. I admit I was worried at the time…until I heard nothing but compliments and stories of how you fought bravely. The commander stationed there has asked me to have you serve in his regiment." He told her.

"Now that I have been named your heir, you probably have declined his offer." Kara stated disappointed.

"Why would I do that? It would make you unhappy and I would not be able to bear that." He said and Kara's face lit up. "After your knighthood, you will report to the stronghold at Kryptonopolis with the rank of sergeant."

"I do not know what to say." Kara said.

"You do not have to say anything. You are my cousin, Kara. I will do anything to make you happy." Kal-El kissed her hand again. "Also, the Duke of Daxam will be accompanying you to Kryptonopolis."

"Milton Fine! I do not need a babysitter, Kal-El." Kara said fiercely.

"Fine is not like his forefathers. He is loyal to the House of El. And I know that you do not need a babysitter. He is going with you because I have recently given him the rank of General and Kryptonopolis will be under his command."

"Are you serious?" Kara asked.

"Kryptonopolis protects our best forges and armories…and I need people I trust to protect it." He looked at Kara with his caring eyes.

She rolled her eyes. "Alright…but only because we need those forges." She said and he smiled. He kissed her hand. "I act this way because I assumed you would want me in Daxam to dispose of the rest of Zod's followers."

"I will worry about Faora and her army. I leave in the morning with the Red Shard to meet with our forces in Daxam." He said and she turned to look at him.

"Kal-El, today was your coronation. You are needed here in Kandor." Kara protested.

"We must deal with Faora before she can ally herself with Luthor. Our spies say that she has been trying to make contact with him for some weeks. I do not want to start my reign with the start of another war in the middle of war. So I leave for Daxam in the morning to end it before it begins." Kal-El said.

"I understand. You are a king now so that means that you also must protect your people." Kara said and he smiled at her.

He gave her a quick wink and then rose from his throne and removed his cape. He then began to mingle around the ballroom until he spotted his long time friends.

Clark greeted his long time friends, Sir Peter Ross, King Oliver Queen of Star City, and King Bruce Wayne of Gotham.

Peter wore a pale blue tunic with his sword at his side. Oliver wore a green tunic with black embroidery and his family crest was visible on his belt holding his sword. Bruce wore a black tunic with a red slash and his sword at his side.

The friends laughed as Oliver told them some new stories of his young son, Prince Conner. "I am so happy that we are all together again." Peter commented. "But we are missing someone…" He said in a jokingly manner.

"Don't say her name." Clark said pointed a finger at him.

"Diana." Oliver and Peter said at the same time and Clark rolled his eyes. And for once, Bruce actually smiled. Princess Diana sent word that she was unable to attend but she sent her condolences for Jonathan and congratulations on his coronation.

"One of these days, you are going to have to get over the fact that she beat you in that duel fairly." Bruce stated and took a sip of wine.

"Again…I let her win because it is against my upbringing to strike a woman." Clark stated but they still laughed.

"So what we do we call you now, Clark? Kal-El? Your Majesty?" Oliver asked.

"Does it matter what you call me?" Clark asked.

"Yes, you are a king now. Nicknames are when you are young and only have the title of Prince." Oliver answered. "You don't hear anyone calling me Ollie, not even my wife calls me that anymore."

"And now, your advisors will start bringing up the subject of marriage and children. I already know that there are two eligible women here at court as we speak." Bruce said with his matter-of-fact tone.

"You two are already making me despise my crown." Clark said and laughed.

"Trust us, we speak the truth." Oliver said and laughed.

"I wish you two could stay." Clark said to Oliver and Bruce.

"Well, I must return to Star City and pray that my wife has not killed all our advisors." Oliver said and they laughed.

"And I to Gotham because my advisors have another potential bride to present to me." Bruce rolled his eyes. "We only came for your coronation. And again, I was sorry to hear about Sir Jonathan." Clark nodded and the friends became quiet.

"I hope you all are just about finish becoming reacquainted." Martha walked up and stood beside Clark. She had removed her mourning veil for the ball.

"Duchess…" Each of them said and they each kissed her hand.

"One of these days, you three will learn to call me Martha. It is too bad that Diana was unable to come." Martha said and smiled while the three of them snickered.

Clark forced a smiled. "Madame, would you like to dance?" Clark asked.

"You don't even need to ask." Martha replied and Clark took her hand. They stepped onto the dance floor and everyone began to clap.

"Music…" Kal-El said and the two began to dance. Soon Henry cut in and Kal-El let him. Kal-El returned to his throne and held out his hand to Kara. She gladly took it and they stepped onto the dance floor as well.

After a few dances, they returned to the thrones laughing. They sat down and then he saw Council member Durkin approaching them out of the corner of his eye.

"Your Majesty and Your Royal Highness…" Durkin said and Kal-El and Kara stopped laughing. He kneeled before them and Kal-El motioned for him to rise. "I would like to present to you the Lady Lana Lang of Smallville."

Kal-El looked at a beautiful girl of about his age. She had long black hair and she wore a light pink gown. "Your Majesty." She bowed before him and he smiled. He stood and walked down the small steps before him.

"Lady Lana." He kissed her hand and he marveled at her beauty. "Welcome to Kandor. I hope that you are enjoying life here at court."

"I enjoy it very much." She replied in a sweet voice and grinned. Kal-El smiled at her.

"Would you like to dance?" He held out his hand and she gladly took it. They stepped onto the dance floor and began to waltz.

Everyone watched with anticipation as they waltzed. Could this woman become the next Queen of Krypton?